Tacoma, population 201,700, is a busy port city located on Washington's Puget Sound, rich in history and culture and a center of international trade. The city was named for Mount Rainier, which was originally called Mount Tacoma by Native Americans. Visitors to the area who arrive on cheap flights to Tacoma will land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), a busy urban airport with passenger conveniences that include a selection of shops and eateries, Internet access, a business center, and rental car facilities.
The city of Tacoma draws a great number of tourists to explore its many historical sites and museums. Among the most popular is the Tacoma Art Museum, which features a vast permanent collection of works by American, Asian, and European artists, from the internationally known names to local artists. Fort Nisqually is a historical museum that features re-enactments of life in the 19th century Hudson Bay fur trading outpost. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is another popular Tacoma attraction, featuring an Asian Forest Sanctuary that houses a number of endangered exotic animals. Colleges in Tacoma include the University of Puget Sound, University of Washington Tacoma, Pierce College, and Bates Technical College among several others. Visitors can find inexpensive accommodations among the many cheap hotels in Tacoma, and the city's bus service, light rail, ferries, and taxis will make getting about convenient.
While Tacoma's weather is mild year round, peak tourist season is during the spring and summer, when the temperatures are at their warmest. Airline ticket costs to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) are approximately $300 from San Francisco or New York, and about $375 from Miami. However, savvy ticket shoppers are sure to find a bargain among the many available cheap flights to Tacoma.